The special exhibition celebrating the centennial year of Finland’s independence, “ Public order collapses 1917 – When hatred became a virtue and revenge a merit ” will open to the public on Friday 5 May 2017.
The exhibition describes the events of the year in which Finland became independent and focuses on the importance of police forces, which are trusted by citizens in an organised society.
The year 1917 was filled with political agitation and rumours that were spread with no consideration for the facts. After the March revolution in Russia, Finns had no common view of who had the power to maintain public order. The country was divided in two and the opposing groups began establishing militia, or 'guards', to protect their safety.
Tiina Tuulasvaara-Kaleva , Intendant at the Police Museum, finds the exhibition topical, even in the social situation of present-day Finland:
“I hope that the exhibition helps people to understand the worst consequences of hotly contending views.”
The exhibition also takes a look at developments in the police force in Finland, from the turmoil of the early years of independence to the present day: a hundred years ago police officers were feared officials, but now they are an everyday source of safety for citizens. The online exhibition, to be opened later in the year, takes a closer look at the development of the police forces in independent Finland.
Rare police uniforms are on display, including the so-called Bobrikov uniform that symbolised oppression during the Russification campaign, and the jacket of the Saksaniemi police academy, secretly established in Porvoo in autumn 1917.
The special exhibition for Finland’s centennial year will be open until the end of 2019.
